Microsoft Ugly Sweater 2025
Microsoft has unveiled its Windows Ugly Sweater again this year. This year's product celebrates the 50th anniversary of Windows and features a collection of familiar symbols from the Windows era. It features a dense array of iconic Windows icons, including Clippy, Paint, MSDos, MSN, Internet Explorer, and MindSweeper. The product was sold on the Microsoft online store, and most sizes quickly sold out immediately after its release. The Ugly Sweater series was re-released in 2018 as a non-commercial item featuring the Windows 95 logo.
Microsoft Office new logo
Microsoft has announced a major shift in its design language with a complete overhaul of its Office icons. This is the first major overhaul in seven years, since 2018, and visually reflects a new UX paradigm, represented by Copilot. "Icons are small, yet symbolic, intuitive gateways that make technology more accessible," said John Friedman, Vice President of Microsoft 365 Design and Research, who oversaw the design. "This icon overhaul is about connecting technology with users, not just formality, but also 'intention.'"
Windows 11 Dark Mode Consistency Finally Improved
Microsoft has begun addressing a long-standing issue with Windows Dark Mode. Since its introduction in Windows 10 in 2016, Dark Mode has faced criticism for its lack of polish across the operating system. This is because File Explorer and some dialog boxes remain in a light theme, creating an inconsistent user experience. A change has been detected in the recent Windows 11 Preview Build (26100.5061). […]
Microsoft Edge is 4x faster
Microsoft announced on its official blog that its Edge browser has reached a significant milestone in UI speed. It now takes less than 300 milliseconds for a website's first screen element to appear to the user. This represents a significant reduction in the rendering time of initial content, including text, images, and interface elements. This metric, known as First Contentful Paint (FCP), is a performance metric introduced by Google in Chrome in 2017 and represents the first meaningful […]
Microsoft Eliminates Blue Screens After 40 Years
Microsoft will be changing the Windows error screen, commonly known as the "Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)," to a black one starting this summer. The blue error screen, a signature Windows feature since 1985, will be replaced with the "Black Screen of Death" starting with Windows 11 version 24H2. This change is part of Microsoft's ongoing "Windows Resiliency Initiative," and comes after the CrowdStrike security update, which shut down approximately 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide in July 2024.
Microsoft Security Scanning Graphics
This is the new brand identity for Microsoft Security, the cybersecurity brand Microsoft collaborated with Koto on. This rebranding focuses on visually embodying a forward-looking philosophy that goes beyond simple threat response to proactively detecting and preventing threats. This identity boldly shifts away from traditional security symbols—locks, shields, and dark colors—in favor of a clear, confident, and vibrant visual language. Through this, Microsoft emphasizes that security should be an experience users can trust and feel secure in. […]
Controversial new Microsoft Office logo
Microsoft is reportedly testing a new 3D design for its Office app icons, sparking heated debate. The new icons, the first such attempt since 2018, were revealed publicly in an email survey sent to some users in early April. The new icons emphasize three-dimensional shapes and hierarchical structure, reflecting the Fluent 2 design language, which also features the 3D emoji style introduced in Windows 11. They feature a more colorful […]
Microsoft Copilot Major Update
Microsoft is releasing a major update to its AI assistant, Copilot. Mustafa Suleiman, CEO of Microsoft AI, announced on his official blog, "We're now moving beyond 'everyone's Copilot' to 'your own Copilot.'" Copilot is evolving beyond a simple AI into a companion that understands your life. With your permission, it remembers conversations and understands personal context, such as stories about your dog, family, and exercise routines. Based on this, it can tailor personalized […]
Microsoft Login UX Renewal
Microsoft announced that it is introducing a new login UX for over 1 billion user accounts worldwide. The new login screen is designed based on Microsoft's design language, Fluent 2, and will be applied to most consumer accounts via web and mobile by the end of April 2025. It reminds me of the complex integration process of 'integrated accounts' that were often seen in Korean services. Microsoft has been implementing various […]
Microsoft 50th Anniversary Event
Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary by looking back on its historic moments and highlighting its achievements. From Microsoft's tearful black history shorts to retro wallpapers filled with history, they're making it a fun party. About 50 years ago, on April 4, 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft. Microsoft quickly grew by developing innovative computer software such as MS-DOS, Windows, and Office. Since then, it has also introduced MSN Messenger, Cloud, Xbox, […]
MSN Resurrection: Microsoft Time Travels Back to Y2K
Microsoft has revived the MSN brand and unveiled a new logo. MSN, an internet portal that first launched with Windows 95 in 1995, once established itself as an iconic name for the internet generation. Microsoft recently announced that it would consolidate its news and content services under the MSN brand, replacing the existing "Microsoft Start" brand. The MSN brand revival is largely due to the recent rise of Y2K sentiment. The newly unveiled MSN logo […]
